Resident Evil 2

 PlayStation
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    100
    Better graphics, imroved story, and the same basic look-out-for-the-zombies gameplay. [Nov 2001, p.51]
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  2. PSX Nation
    97
    The sequel elevates what was so great about the first one to a complete new level of terror.
  3. TotalGames.net
    96
    One of the most clever, crowd-pleasing, tense, dramatic, beautiful and playable games ever conceived.
  5. Absolute Playstation
    95
    In every conceivable category, this game outclasses and outshines its predecessor by a wide margin. Gotta love it.
  6. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    94
    Better than before, this sequel lets you take on Umbrella as Leon or Claire. [Jan 2004, p.189]
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  7. IGN
    93
    Resident Evil 2 should be sponsored by Huggies - it's both pant-creamingly good and trouser-soilingly scary!
  8. Game Revolution
    91
    Now, I hear what you're saying: "This Zombie is chewing on my foot, it deserves to be shot." But that's just the response that society has conditioned you to have. So even though this is a great game with good graphics, terrific sound, riveting action, and puzzles that will keep you entertained for hours... As a favor to our Zombie friends, do not buy this game.
  9. GMR Magazine
    90
    Zombies running amok in Raccoon City; more B-movie voice acting running amok on your speakers. Enough to fill two disks this time! [Feb 2003, p.97]
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  10. GamePro
    90
    For newcomers to the series, there's never been a better time to get scared.
  11. Games Domain
    90
    Had the game lasted a little longer, and if the monsters had been a little more creative, this would be one of the best games ever made for the PSX.
  12. GameSpot
    89
    One of the most entertaining games I've ever played. With its unique camera angles, storyline, graphics, sound effects, and music, RE 2 seems more like a product out of Hollywood than the video game industry.
  13. All Game Guide
    80
    So, for all of it's action and nerve wracking moments, if you only play games to beat them the first time through, I'd suggest renting Resident Evil 2.
  14. Happy Puppy
    70
    More an interactive movie than a game, RE2 looks pretty but lacks challenge.

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best PS1 Game of 1998
3
#3 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1998
6
#6 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1998

User Reviews

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User Score
9.3

Universal acclaim- based on 1119 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,047 out of 1119
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 1119
  3. Negative: 27 out of 1119
  1. ChrisM
    Jan 9, 2010
    10
    Jay D.... You gave this game a zero. Seriously. A zero. People like you who should've been born with no hands so they can't get Jay D.... You gave this game a zero. Seriously. A zero. People like you who should've been born with no hands so they can't get access to a computer. The least you could do is give information as to WHY you feel this game deserves a 0. But no. You just say "the original is still the best" and slap a 0 on it. While I really think this game deserves a solid 9, I'm giving it a 10 because every little bit helps to make up for your stupidity.… Full Review »
  2. Backstrom
    Feb 20, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. This is one of the best games in the genre, and of the best games for the PS1 ever. It's slightly more action-oriented than the more scary RE1, but it doesn't make it lesser of a game. The action-horror atmosphere actually fits very well, but maybe it could have been slightly better if it was a teeny tiny bit more scary. Who knows. The music and the sound effects are excellent and gives the game an eerie atmosphere. The dialogue is kinda cheesy, but that's the way I like it. It has a lot of puzzle-solving which is a good thing, and it has interesting environments and characters. 2 separate characters with 2 separate scenarios each (granted the scenarios aren't very different from one another), and an extra mini-game with Hunk and Tofu gives this game a great replay-value. Plenty of interesting bosses including: alligator, Mr X., different mutations of William Birkin, G-Virus' "Offspring", the Moth (although not really a boss). 1-2 more boss-fights had been perfect though. I think Chief Irons had made a good boss, imagine a boss-fight with a human who isn't infected by some kind of virus, blasting away with a hunting rifle, and setting off traps (he enjoyed hunting) during the fight. A boss-fight against one of Hunk's team members would have been nice too. A G-virus mutated mercenary with a machine gun. Plenty of different monsters such as: a few different kind of zombies (but where are all the children zombies?), 2 kind of lickers, 2 kind of walking plants, spiders, dogs (where are all the cats though?), crows. Cats and snakes (there are only sissy snakes, and few of them) would have been cool. Some kind of different bird would have been nice, since there are only crows/ravens/whatever. Summary: A solid 10, it is everything that a Resident Evil should be, and I will NEVER get tired of this game. I still remember the first time I saw this game, it was when I watched my friend play the RE2 demo, which his older brother had got from his copy of RE 1 Dir. Cut. I was awe-struck and deeply fascinated when i watched my friend play it. It's more than 10 years later now, and the fascination of this game hasn't decreased,… Full Review »
  3. MinionX
    Mar 19, 2019
    10
    A true game of classic survival horror and not a garbage hybrid of the action and shooting genre.
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